Bensenville boy killed in house fire:

A 4-year-old boy hiding behind a dresser didn't escape a house fire and died Wednesday afternoon in Bensenville despite the efforts of his mother, a neighbor, passers-by, police and firefighters. "Every minute seemed to be like 100 minutes," neighbor Kathleen Barroso said of their efforts to get to Martin Pletz. Full story

Family of drowned Elk Grove man sues Chicago gentleman's club

The family of an Elk Grove Village man who drowned in the Chicago River has filed a wrongful-death suit against the owners of a gentleman's club the man visited before he died. Ryan McClelland, 30, accidentally drowned in early April after leaving VIP's A Gentleman's Club in Chicago, whose employees the suit charges were negligent and careless in handling McClelland. Full story.

Giant wooden soldier taken down in St. Charles

The larger-than-life wooden soldier seen while traveling north of St. Charles on Route 25 over the past 38 years was slowly dismantled yesterday as part of its relocation to a new battlefront. They started with the Revolutionary War soldier's head. Pictures and video with story.

Resentence for Carpentersville woman in murder plea?

Kane County prosecutors want a Carpentersville woman who received probation and community service on a second-degree murder plea resentenced to time in prison, saying she hasn't met the terms of the deal for the 2010 stabbing. Full story

Palatine police look for missing ill man

Palatine police are looking for a 63-year-old man they consider in danger. Leon Joffe has bipolar disorder and was scheduled to stay at an assisted-living center in Palatine. But he left the center at 5 p.m. Wednesday and took a cab to O'Hare International Airport, according to a news release. Full story.

Defining 'intoxicated' in St. Charles:

St. Charles may get more specific on what constitutes intoxication, as officials try to reduce bar-related crime in its downtown. Bar owners say the city's current standards don't match those of the state-certified training alcohol servers are required to have. Full story

FAA lifts ban on U.S. flights to Israel

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its ban Wednesday on U.S. flights in and out of Israel, which the agency had imposed out of concern for the risk of planes being hit by Hamas rockets. The decision was effective at 10:45 p.m. Full story.

Investigations of Metra engineers on the rise for 2014

As of June, disciplinary investigations of train engineers at Metra had totaled 11, as many as the entire number of cases for 2013. The upward trend comes in the wake of a probe by the Federal Railroad Administration sparked by three safety lapses in May and June that involved speeding or ignoring a signal. Full story.

Weather

Clear and 61 degrees to start the morning, with temperatures climbing to 74 degrees this afternoon. Temperatures will fall back to 59 degrees tonight. Full story.

Traffic

Construction continues on Tyler Road between IL Route 64 and Kirk Road near St. Charles. People should expect heavy delays and seek alternate routes. Full traffic.

Look to the future, Cubs fans:

Bruce Miles understands the desire to avert one's eyes from the Cubs, including Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Padres. But the Cubs' minor league moves of late are worth paying attention, he says. Full story

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